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Anthropology Department

Anthropology is the scientific and interpretive study of humankind, from its beginnings millions of years ago to the present day. The discipline of anthropology begins with a simple but enormously powerful idea: that any particular aspect of human biology and behavior can be fully understood only when it is placed against a background provided by the full range of variability found in human biology and behavior worldwide. This is the comparative perspective, the attempt to explain both the similarities and differences among people in the context of humanity as a whole. Anthropology is therefore composed of multiple subfields. We offer courses in cultural, biological, linguistic, medical, and psychological anthropology. Anthropology majors receive a sound liberal arts education, which provides a needed edge in today's competitive world of careers. Anthropology's scope and intellectual roominess can prepare students to make objective, far-sighted decisions at the professional level in any career field. Anthropology graduates go on to careers in professional anthropology, medicine, law, social work, public health, environmental studies, teaching, translation, laboratory research, international business, and government. Emory students benefit from a variety of excellent resources for studying anthropology. There are six department laboratories: the Laboratory for Human Osteology; the Laboratory for Comparative Human Biology; the Laboratory of Reproductive Ecology and Environmental Toxicology; the Laboratory of Biogeochemical Anthropology; the Paleolithic Technology Laboratory, and the Laboratory for Darwinian Neuroscience. Students also have opportunities to be involved with ongoing research at the Sloan Foundation's MARIAL Center (Myth and Ritual in American Life), the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, the Michael C. Carlos Museum and The Carter Center. For those students interested in medical anthropology, Emory is affiliated with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Rollins School of Public Health.  The department sponsors the Emory chapter of the Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society.


Courses

Anthropology 100-Level Courses

Anthropology 200-Level Courses

Anthropology 300-Level Courses

Anthropology 400-Level Courses

Programs

Honors Program

Juniors who have a minimum cumulative GPA and major GPA of 3.5 are invited by the department to apply to join the Honors Program as they preregister for their senior year. The Honors Program entails directed, original research (Anthropology 495A and 495B), a thesis, an oral defense, and successful completion of a graduate course.



General Honors Program information.

Study Abroad

The Department of Anthropology strongly encourages its students to pursue study abroad. Study abroad is a rich and invaluable educational opportunity, and is particularly desirable for the serious anthropology student. Students who are interested in study abroad should contact the Center for International Programs Abroad. This office has information about programs around the world and the types of classes
available in these programs.

In order to ensure that majors receive the necessary breadth and specific vision that Emory’s Department of Anthropology offers, students may apply no more than twelve credit hours (three classes) of off-campus credit toward any anthropology major. (This includes transfer credit from American schools, as well as study abroad.)


In order to obtain Emory credit for courses taken at another institution, students are strongly urged to seek course credit equivalency approval before leaving Emory. Although students may submit courses for Emory credit post facto, there is no guarantee that the courses taken will be approved by the department.

Finally, all approved credit is pending satisfactory completion of the course. To obtain Emory equivalency credit, students should bring the appropriate CIPA form, along with syllabi or official course descriptions to the Department of Anthropology Office (207 Anthropology Building). The more detailed the information you can provide about the course, the better our ability to evaluate the course for credit. These materials will be reviewed by the director of undergraduate studies in Anthropology, and credit will be approved or denied. Petitions for course substitutions and waivers will be considered by the Anthropology Undergraduate Concerns Committee. Applications are available in the Department of Anthropology office.


General Study Abroad information.

Independent Research and Study

Anthropology students are encouraged to become engaged in research under the direction of a faculty member.  They may receive academic credit for research participation.

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